Blues 2018
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Murray Bolton
This audacious former management buyout dealmaker has been off the corporate scene for years, but his management style came under the spotlight this month when he and three other directors of Skellerup subsidiary DML Resources paid $7 million to settle a reckless trading case. Maine Investments-linked companies DML, Levene's and Palmers Garden Centres collapsed under the weight of debt after the Bolton-led MBO.
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I can't say I'm convinced by Tana, but I agree that the problems run far deeper.
A competitive Blues team naturally follows from Auckland being in the top two or three in the Mitre 10.
With all the resources this in fact the MINIMUM which ought to be acceptable to the Auckland union.
Reminds me of what happened to Transvaal, traditionally the strongest Bok province, but for many years reduced to whipping boys.
Don't know how they changed things, but as long suffering Blues supporter 'I want what they had'! -
@machpants I found this bit illuminating:
Currently, every player that grew up outside of the Blues region that is on the Blues roster did not go through a Blues academy. Meaning, they went through someone else’s academy and that franchise let them go. -
That line from the article is an exaggeration. Saying other franchises ‘let them go’ is more dramatic but isn’t always accurate. Some players were offered contracts by their local franchise and the Blues.. then they opted for the Blues (more money or more opportunities in a particular position)
The article also misses an important point about Blues academy players being poached by other teams. This happens because Kirwan/Umaga have been poor at promoting the good players that were under their own noses. Also, players will opt to play for a well coached full side if they have multiple options.
A chicken and the egg situation.. Yup the wider organisation has problems but I see this as another article absolving the celebrity coach of responsibility.
There is no accountability at the Blues. No media pressure on the board or coaches, no expectation on the players. -
@pakman said in Blues 2018:
Transvaal
Digressing.
But Transvaal are not traditionally the strongest Bok province. Northern Transvaal and Western Province far and away the top two (equivalent of Auckland and Canterbury).
Transvaal more like Wellington. The traditional big under achiever.
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According to the Blues' instagram, Blake Gibson is back training with the team now.
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@tim said in Blues 2018:
According to the Blues' instagram, Blake Gibson is back training with the team now.
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@nepia said in Blues 2018:
@tim said in Blues 2018:
According to the Blues' instagram, Blake Gibson is back training with the team now.
Is Charlie Ngatai ok with you using his image for someone else?
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@kirwan said in Blues 2018:
Blake Gibson has been consistently good for years, not sure what Nepia has been watching.
He’s been a huge loss for us this year. Pryor is fine, but more a bench player and prone to silly penalties.
I've been watching the same Blues games you have (probably not seen as many Auckland NPC games though), I'm not saying he's been crap (when he's been on the field) but I haven't seen a level of play that meets the hype of when he came through - and you Aucklanders are telling yourselves porkies if you don't think he's been hyped.
I hope he does meet that hype, Todd is getting on a bit so it would be nice to have him to go with Cane and Hunt.